JT Hats
James grew up on an Ozarks farm where tools like axes and picks were still used in the daily routine and the blades of stockman's pocketknives served their original functions. Receiving his first pocketknife at age four he got it open by himself nearly a year later and spent his formative years wandering the woods with a succession of ever larger knives, a book of matches and a rifle.

A veteran of Vietnam, James also served in Alaska during a stint in the Army, receiving his first intensive culinary training by setting a record for extra KP at Ft. Richardson.

Settling in the Pacific Northwest after his discharge, James crewed on sailing yachts in local races, backpacked hundreds of miles of mountain trails in search of good trout fishing, and occasionally attended college.

His first serious job as a civilian resulted from answering a Seattle Post Intelligencer want ad requesting someone who could lift 120 pounds repeatedly and wasn't afraid of fire. James apprenticed to John Frazier -- the most knowledgeable traditional foundryman in North America at that time -- for the next six years.

Returning to the Ozarks James made his living by growing ginseng on a hand-terraced wooded hillside and selling handmade wood turnery, furniture, sculpture and architectural carvings. James harvested trees from his own land, processing logs into posts and beams and turnery billets with saws, axes, froes and planes. Since many tools he needed were no longer available, James built his own forge from a barbeque grill, a vacuum cleaner and a 55 gallon steel drum, found a chunk of railroad track for his first anvil, and taught himself blacksmithing -- creating his own knives and tools from scrap steel and sweat.

Changing economic pressures eventually forced James back to the restaurant industry in Branson, Missouri, and later to even more success as a maintenance engineer for one of Branson's largest condominium resorts. Finally escaping to Indiana, James now makes his living telling true stories as a freelance writer.



Kisuke Urahara Shikai Katana Sword, Black | Japanese Anime Bleach Replica w/ Belt & Scabbard

1 min read

Kisuke Urahara Shikai Katana Sword,This real-world version of the Urahara Shikai Katana — from the Japanese anime series Bleach — serves as a physical reminder of a powerful magical weapon. Bleach tells a complex tale of supernatural war between enigmatic soul reapers like Urahara and evil “hollows” avoiding the fate of souls after death. Kisuke Urahara, a former captain of the Soul Reaper 12th Division, has now been exiled to the world of humans where he does a modest, nearly-honest business in supernatural equipment and information. The sword he carries is unique among the magical weapons of the story’s many warriors.

Forty-seven inches long with full tang construction and traditionally-styled handle of artificial rayskin and faux leather wrapping laid over hardwood, the katana comes with a matching scabbard and buckled belt. It’s visually correct but needs to be handled with care. As a replica, this sword is only satisfactory with an appearance similar to the magical weapon but with marginal finishing touches. The painted black portion of the sword could easily be damaged, and very little shaping has been done to the stout 440 high carbon stainless steel blade. Details match the shikai form of the weapon, not the form it takes for everyday wear.

Bleach weapons are unusual even for imaginary swords, since each has two current forms — one ordinary and one with magical powers. A shout by the sword’s owner transforms the blade, which in this case begins as a sword cane but becomes a powerful heavy katana. Capable of becoming a shield of blood as well as blasting enemies with rays of violent red light, the Urahara Sword is the only sword in the story which belongs to a man but possesses the spirit of a female warrior. Urahara refers to this magical sword, or zanpakuto, as Benihime or Red Princess and describes her as “not nice.” Even as a cane, this unusual sword has the ability to separate soul from body with a single strike.

Find this Urahara Shikai Sword:

JT Hats
James grew up on an Ozarks farm where tools like axes and picks were still used in the daily routine and the blades of stockman's pocketknives served their original functions. Receiving his first pocketknife at age four he got it open by himself nearly a year later and spent his formative years wandering the woods with a succession of ever larger knives, a book of matches and a rifle.

A veteran of Vietnam, James also served in Alaska during a stint in the Army, receiving his first intensive culinary training by setting a record for extra KP at Ft. Richardson.

Settling in the Pacific Northwest after his discharge, James crewed on sailing yachts in local races, backpacked hundreds of miles of mountain trails in search of good trout fishing, and occasionally attended college.

His first serious job as a civilian resulted from answering a Seattle Post Intelligencer want ad requesting someone who could lift 120 pounds repeatedly and wasn't afraid of fire. James apprenticed to John Frazier -- the most knowledgeable traditional foundryman in North America at that time -- for the next six years.

Returning to the Ozarks James made his living by growing ginseng on a hand-terraced wooded hillside and selling handmade wood turnery, furniture, sculpture and architectural carvings. James harvested trees from his own land, processing logs into posts and beams and turnery billets with saws, axes, froes and planes. Since many tools he needed were no longer available, James built his own forge from a barbeque grill, a vacuum cleaner and a 55 gallon steel drum, found a chunk of railroad track for his first anvil, and taught himself blacksmithing -- creating his own knives and tools from scrap steel and sweat.

Changing economic pressures eventually forced James back to the restaurant industry in Branson, Missouri, and later to even more success as a maintenance engineer for one of Branson's largest condominium resorts. Finally escaping to Indiana, James now makes his living telling true stories as a freelance writer.



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